Big Bang Theory’s Kevin Sussman Battled A Notable Mental Health Issue In Secret

Highlights

• Kevin Sussman opened up about his struggles with anxiety on Mayim Bialik’s podcast.
• The actor shared that feeling prepared and having enough rehearsal time helps ease his anxiety while acting or auditioning.
• Sussman discussed techniques like The Alexander Technique and exercise.

After playing comic book store owner Stuart Bloom in The Big Bang Theory, Kevin Sussman became a household name along with his rich TBBT co-stars. While he hasn’t played quite as many memorable roles as Jim Parsons has, Sussman has an impressive resume that includes acting on a few other sitcoms.

Although Sussman once starred in a hit sitcom, he has been honest about struggling with his mental health. In one relatable interview, he talked about what he has struggled with.

Kevin Sussman Talked About Anxiety On The Big Bang Theory Co-Star Mayim Bialik’s Podcast

In July 2021, Kevin Sussman was interviewed on Mayim Bialik‘s podcast Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown and he talked about suffering from anxiety. Most of these podcast episodes address mental health in some way as this is a topic that the actress talks about regularly. Through this interview, Sussman’s fans can get to know him a bit better and learn more about the tough, vulnerable times that he has experienced.

First, the actor explained that The Big Bang Theory cast worked three days each week for five years because one day was for tech and they had Fridays off. Sussman brought this up because he said that he feels anxious if he doesn’t feel like he has had adequate time to get ready for a role. He really likes having enough rehearsal time because it helps these feelings. Sussman shared that he has had anxiety for a while and that he feels this way while acting or auditioning.

Sussman said:

“One of the things that creates anxiety for me for an audition or for any performance is not feeling prepared… Almost all of the anxiety is unnecessary and counterproductive… The irony is that the anxiety makes it not pleasurable to begin with.”

Sussman added, “We’re hard-wired to have this fight or flight response that is evolutionary so old and antiquated… There’s no real reason to trigger your fight or flight response. And so it’s just a waste of time.”

Mayim Bialik was very compassionate toward Kevin Sussman and said she has “a baseline level of anxiety” so she could relate to him.

Sussman explained that if he can focus on the character’s situation or a co-star, that makes the anxious thoughts a little better. He said, “I need to make what’s going on in the scene more interesting than what’s going on in my head.”

What TV Shows Has Kevin Sussman Starred In?

• Lessons In Chemistry (2023)
• Call Me Kat (2022)
• Weeds (2012)
• The Mentalist (2010)
• The Dropout (2022)
• My Name Is Earl (2007, 2008)
• Ugly Betty (2006, 2007)

Kevin Sussman said that a coach gave him advice on something called The Alexander Technique and it works when he feels anxious. He said:

“It’s a way of getting rid of bad physical habits, mostly with your posture and your alignment… A lot of people carry a lot of tension in your head and neck and back… All of us go through our lives sort of resisting having both emotional responses and also habitually giving ourselves physical tension because we get into these like minor fight or flight responses on a daily basis.”

When describing The Alexander Technique, The Big Bang Theory actor said that it’s about “shortening the ribcage.” Bialik added that it can be tough to breathe while in the position that the technique requires. The exercise is meant to make people think more carefully about what’s going on in their bodies.

How To Do The Alexander Technique (According to The Guardian):

• takes 20 minutes
• lie down
• bend your knees
• put books behind your head

As the conversation continued, Kevin Sussman shared that riding a spin bike helps him with his anxiety. He credits a workout routine with allowing him to sleep well, which is “a natural anti-anxiety thing.” He explained that it can be tough for him to lie down in bed without thinking about the day and then worrying about things that happened a long time ago. This is an experience that those with anxiety can relate to.

There are many different ways that people deal with their anxiety, and the same things aren’t going to work for everyone. Kevin Sussman’s conversation with Mayim Bialik was so important because they were honest about how there is no one size fits all way to feel better. Besides going to therapy, Sussman also mentioned that he has meditated at times, although he said that he likes exercising more.

The Big Bang Theory’s Kevin Sussman Talked More About Anxiety

Although Kevin Sussman hasn’t talked about his anxiety very often and he shared the most on Mayim Bialik’s podcast, he has mentioned having an anxious personality a few other times.

In 2014, Kevin Sussman was interviewed about The Big Bang Theory by My Fanbase and answered a question about whether he could relate to his character Stuart Bloom.

Sussman said:

“Aside from both working at a comic store? I can be pretty neurotic and anxious. Stuart is definitely not far outside my wheelhouse. An exaggerated version for sure, but I can relate.”

The actor also sometimes felt anxious when shooting The Big Bang Theory because of certain situations. According to Ranker, when he was on set for the season 10 episode “The Hot Tub Contamination,” he didn’t have a good time because he doesn’t like water.

According to Ranker, Sussman said, “I don’t like putting my head underwater ever… a bunch of people had to coach me, you know, ‘it’s going to be okay, we have a lot of people around.’

While The Big Bang Theory star Kevin Sussman has had tough moments, he has enjoyed a lot of success. It sounds like he has been able to work with his anxiety and still continue on his career path.

Source: NewsFinale